USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Rail Network Development
                        Environment
                        Environmental Reviews


            
            In This Section
        Environment Overview
                Environmental Division Updates
                Historic Preservation
                Rail Climate Considerations
                FRA Legislation & Regulations
                FRA & NEPA Documentation
                Additional Information on Categorical Exclusions
                Additional Information on Section 4(f) and Programmatic Evaluations
                Environmental Reviews
                Noise & Vibration
                Final Section 106 Program Comment for Rail Rights-of-Way
                FRA Rail Program Delivery Webinar Series: Environment
                FRA Recommended Trainings & Environmental Resources
                
                Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Program: Oregon Segment
    

    
    
          On April 14, 2021, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), working with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT or Project Sponsor), issued a Record of Decision (ROD) concurrently with a Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a Corridor Investment Plan (CIP) pursuant to Section 1311 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114-94). Through the Oregon Passenger Rail (OPR) Tier 1 FEIS and ROD, FRA evaluated proposed alternatives for improved Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service along the approximately 130-mile segment of the federally designated Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor (PNWRC) from the Eugene-Springfield urban area to the Washington State line at the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon (Project). The 466-mile PNWRC runs between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Eugene-Springfield, Oregon.

During early Project formulation, which began in 2012 under a $4.2 million High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program competitive grant from FRA, FRA and ODOT chose to perform a tiered environmental review process in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that is typically used in the development of complex projects like CIPs. The tiered NEPA decision-making process includes a broad-level programmatic decision with a first-tier (Tier 1) EIS, which may be followed by more specific decisions through one or more second-tier (Tier 2) evaluations in the future. This environmental review process helped ODOT and FRA make decisions about the general rail alignment and station locations, and determine service characteristics, such as the number of daily trips, travel-time objectives, and technologies that will be used.

See the Project Sponsor’s webpage for more information.

Comments

The 60-day comment period for the Tier 1 Draft EIS ran from October 19 to December 18, 2018. Comments received were addressed in FRA’s Tier 1 FEIS, appendices, and ROD.  Under 23 U.S.C. 139(n)(2), no subsequent comment or review periods under NEPA apply to this action; FRA issued a decision in a combined FEIS and ROD on April 14, 2021.

Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision

The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the OPR CIP Tier 1 FEIS and ROD, wherein FRA selected Alternative 1, was published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on April 30, 2021. The ROD summarizes avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies and future design practices appropriate for a Tier 1 FEIS, and states potential next steps in the environmental review process with subsequent phases of the Project as it moves though further planning, design, and construction, subject to available future funding. Members of the public; stakeholders; local governments; elected officials; non-governmental organizations; Native American Tribes; and Federal, State, and local agencies have been and will continue to be involved in the Project throughout subsequent phases, as appropriate.

Tier 1 Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
	Appendix A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement
	Appendix A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Appendices
	Appendix B Public and Agency Involvement Summary Report
	Appendix C Public and Agency Comments and Responses
	Attachment C2-A Comments Received During Public Comment Period
	Attachment C2-B Comments Received During Public Comment Period
	Appendix D Revised DEIS SectionsFRA Point of Contact

**Environmental Review Process Contact:**
Lydia Kachadoorian 
Environmental Protection Specialist
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590lydia.kachadoorian@dot.gov

**Media Queries Contact:**
Phone: 202-493-6024
Email: FRAPA@dot.gov

**Permitting Dashboard**

The U.S. Permitting Dashboard is an online tool for Federal agencies, project sponsors, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government’s environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects. The Dashboard is part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability. A link to this project’s page on the Dashboard is below.

**Permitting Dashboard Link**
              
      
    
          Last updated: Monday, May 3, 2021 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards